U.S. patent number 5,280,933 [Application Number 07/918,757] was granted by the patent office on 1994-01-25 for tip over resistant, debris retaining omni directionally mobilized rack for wood logs.
Invention is credited to David N. Finneyfrock.
United States Patent |
5,280,933 |
Finneyfrock |
January 25, 1994 |
Tip over resistant, debris retaining omni directionally mobilized
rack for wood logs
Abstract
A fireplace implement for receiving, omni-directionally
mobilizing and storing wood logs in a horizontally elongated stack,
the stack being a horizontally directed array of alligned pieces of
wood logs of substantially equal length such that the implement
whether loaded or empty has a substantially low center of gravity
provided by a bottom member of steel or the like functioning in
combination with two U-shaped outer members wherein the height H of
each vertical post of each U-shaped outer member is approximately
equal to or less than one-half the length L of the bottom portion
of each U-shaped member. The bottom member is adapted to the lower
U-shape of each outer member and also functions to catch and
prevent debris from the wood logs discharging underneath the
implement. The bottom member is also adapted with a plurality of
elongated pegs located along its edges adjacent the U-shaped
members and vertically inserted entirely thru vertically alligned
close tolerance apertures in the U-shaped members to brace the
U-shaped members in a upright position.
Inventors: |
Finneyfrock; David N.
(Keedysville, MD) |
Family
ID: |
25440918 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/918,757 |
Filed: |
July 27, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/47.34;
211/49.1; 280/79.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24B
15/00 (20130101); B62B 3/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62B
3/00 (20060101); B62B 003/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/79.3,79.2,79.11,79.6,47.34,47.35,47.18,33.998
;211/49.1,60.1,189,186 ;296/35.4,36 ;D34/12,17 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mitchell; David M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Abdallah & Muckelroy
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fireplace implement for receiving, omni-directionally
mobilizing, and storing adjacent a fireplace a horizontally
elongated stack of conventionally cut firelogs of conventional
width, said stack being made of a horizontally directed array of
alligned pieces of firelogs the fireplace implement having a height
and a length, the implement further comprising a first member
disengageably frictionally connected to a third member, a second
member, said second member disengageably frictionally connected to
said third member, said first, second, and third members
interconnected into an assembly; said first and second members each
having a bottom, said assembly providing a center of gravity for
the array and implement combined, said center of gravity being
located at approximately one half of the length for said implement
and wherein said center of gravity is further located such that one
half of the length is equal to or greater than said height; said
assembly further comprising said first member oriented uprightly
and U-shaped; a catching means for catching debris falling from
said firelogs said third member being comprised of said catching
means, said catching means also interconnecting the bottom of said
first member to the bottom of said second member; said first member
having a first pair of curved portions, one curved portion
connecting a first frontal vertical post to a first horizontal
portion connected to the bottom of said first member; and the other
curved portion connecting a first distal vertical post to said
first horizontal portion; said second member having a second pair
of curved portions, one of said second pair of curved portions
connecting a second frontal vertical post to a second horizontal
portion connected to the bottom of said second member, the other
curved portion of said second pair connecting a second distal
vertical post to said second horizontal portion; a first
omni-directional wheeling means for said implement attached to a
frontal end of said first horizontal member; a second
omni-directional wheeling means for said implement attached to a
distal end of said first horizontal member; a third
omni-directional wheeling means for said implement attached to a
frontal end of said second horizontal member, a fourth
omni-directional wheeling for said implement attached to a distal
end of said second horizontal member; a first curved member adapted
to further contain debris from said array connected to said
catching means, said first curved member having ends adapted to be
congruent with said frontal curved portions and interconnect said
curved portions and confluently connect to said catching means; a
second curved member having ends adapted to be congruent with said
curved portions and interconnect said curved portions and
confluently connect to said catching means, said catching means
having a plurality of downwardly protruding pegs located near a
first edge of said catching means and another plurality of
downwardly protruding pegs located near a second edge of said
catching means, said first and second members each being tubular
and each having apertures therethrough adapted to receive said
pegs, said pegs being disengageably frictionally held in said
apertures located in said first and second members whereby said
implement in manually separable into said first, second, and third
members without tools.
2. A fireplace implement for receiving, omni-directionally
mobilizing, and storing adjacent a fireplace a horizontally
elongated stack of conventionally cut firelogs of conventional
width, said stack being made up of horizontally directed array of
alligned pieces of firelogs, comprising a first member
disengageably frictionally connected to a third member, a second
member, the second member disengageably frictionally connected to
said third member, the first, second and third members being
interconnected into an assembly, the assembly comprising a first
means for providing a center of gravity for the array and implement
combined, said center of gravity being located at approximately one
half of the length for said implement and wherein said center of
gravity is further located such that one half of the length is
equal to or greater than said height, said first means comprising
the first member and the second member each oriented upright and
U-shaped; said first and said second member each having a bottom
connected to the third member; a second means for catching debris
falling from said firelogs, said second means having a bottom panel
interconnecting the bottom of said first member to the bottom of
said second member, said first member having a first pair of curved
portions, one curved portion connecting a first frontal vertical
post to a first horizontal portion connected to the bottom of said
first member; and the other curved portion connecting a first
distal vertical portion to said first horizontal portion, said
second member having a second pair of curved portions, one of said
second pair of curved portions connecting a second frontal vertical
post to a second horizontal portion connected to the bottom of said
second member, the other curved portion of said second pair
connecting a second distal vertical post to said second horizontal
portion, a first omni-directional wheeling means for said implement
attached to a frontal end of said first horizontal member, a second
omni-directional wheeling means for said implement attached to a
distal end of said first horizontal member, a third
omni-directional wheeling means for said implement attached to a
frontal end of said second horizontal member, a fourth
omni-directional wheeling for said implement attached to a distal
end of said second horizontal member, a first curved planar member
adapted to contain and divert debris from said array, said first
curved planar member having ends adapted to be congruent with said
curved portions and interconnect with curved portions and
confluently connect to said second means, a second curved planar
member adapted to contain and divert debris from said array, said
second curved planar member having ends adapted to be congruent
with said curved portions and interconnect said distal curved
portions and confluently connect to said second means, said
implement being adapted to be moved in any direction and to
substantially prevent debris from said array from falling
underneath said implement; the fireplace implement further
comprising said posts topped with integral ball-shaped handles in
combination with a peg means for enabling toolless assembly and
disassembly of said implement, said peg means for enabling toolless
assembly and disassembly of said implement further comprising a
plurality of downwardly extending conical pegs formed on the bottom
of said third member and a like plurality of matching apertures
located in the bottom of said first member and in the bottom of
said second member, said first and second members having bottoms
and formed from cylindrical material, said apertures being adapted
to receive said pegs, each of said apertures being further adapted
to congruently frictionally engage said pegs, said apertures
extending vertically through the respective bottoms of said first
and second members.
3. The improved fireplace implement of claim 2 wherein said first
and second members are made of tubular steel and said third member
is made of heavy gauge steel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the manual handling of a
plurality of heavy elongated materials and more specifically to a
mobile manually steerable rack for hauling, containing and storing
fire wood.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Description of The Prior Art
The prior art has generally been directed to the ever present
problem of hauling and storing precut fire wood for use indoors in
fireplaces and the like by homeowners. Homes are being built with
ever increasing amounts of space and with a multiplicity of
fireplaces therein. Today architects are increasingly designing
homes with wood burning fireplaces, wood burning stoves, and wood
furnaces to serve as a primary heating source for substantial
spaces within the home. However, the loading, handling and storage
of this wood as a source of energy for heat has been extremely
difficult, dirty and hazardous for persons to pursue utilizing the
devices of the prior art because of the difficulty mobilizing
sufficient quantities of wood in prior art carts due to the
inherent danger of tipping over and injuring a person using same
and in using the prior art devices the accompanying litter and
debris falling from the fire logs onto the floor of a person's
home. In addition, many of the prior art devices are difficult to
grip and maneuver and mechanically complex to build containing
numerous parts.
Commonly used manual manipulative mechanisms for transporting
various objects do not conveniently, if at all, serve reasonably
the needs of the average person in bringing chopped wood from
outdoors into a residence or the like and to position adjacent to a
burning site for storage and progressive use without the danger
being tipped over and without debris constantly falling to the
floor from the fire logs as they are removed from the implement. As
an example, a typical wheel-mounted fire log rack (one of which is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,081 issued on Apr. 28, 1981 to
Markham) has a very high center of gravity and is easily tilted
over and further does not provide any means whatsoever of
preventing debris from littering the floor of the residence.
Typical of the carts patented in the 70's are U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,669,464 issued to Linzmeier and 3,841,651 issued in 1974 to
Bigney. Each lacks any capacity for carrying and transporting logs
and at the same time preventing the accumulation of debris
underneath after use. The Bigney patent was not adapted at all for
hauling and transporting fire logs. Although Linzmeier has a low
center of gravity it is adapted primarily for carrying lumber, is
composed of numerous parts and provides no means for preventing the
accumulation of debris thereunder when used as a storage implement.
Other pertinent prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,624 issued
in 1988 to Mace for a "small, lightweight, strong, multiple use
cart having a removable vertical support for moving heavy items in
or out of dwellings via a person size doorway; U.S. Pat. No.
4,326,731 issued on Apr. 27, 1982 to Woychio et al for a folding
cart; U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,768 issued on Jun. 18, 1985 to Dluballa
for a "collapsible cart-stand"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,733 issued on
Dec. 18, 1984 to Hellsteen for a wheeled plate carrier and U.S.
Pat. No. 4,679,805 issued on Jul. 14, 1987 to Cunningham for a
space saver cart.
There are also various other utility carts proposed earlier in the
prior art for household and other purposes that likewise have no
reasonable adaptability to the hauling and storage of wood, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,472,989 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,021,011. This
last patent proposes that a caster supported platform rack be
provided for hauling a relatively long lengths of logs which
comprises not only a debris catching concave platform but opposed
open top U-shaped cradle members each in a common plane with a
U-shaped support member to which the casters are pivotally
connected. This platform is distinguishable from and inferior to
the present invention in that it does not provide for ease of
assembly and disassembly with at most a hammer in the manner
presented by this novel invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides fireplace implement for receiving,
omnidirectionally mobilizing, and storing an array of fire logs
with a substantially low center of gravity and in a manner which is
substantially resistant to being tipped over and which prevents
debris from falling from the logs while they are being mobilized,
loaded and stored and which may be easily disassembled with at most
a hammer when not in use and stored substantially flat. The cart
comprises two low U-shaped members interconnected by a debris
catching and interconnecting concave and confluent U-shaped
platform having a plurality of cone shaped pegs located on each
side thereof adapted to engage in an interference fit with
predisposed matching apertures in each of the U-shaped members.
Each U-shaped member has a pair of caster wheels which accommodate
omnidirectional movement of the cart across the ground or the floor
whether the cart is loaded or partially empty. The pegs are
forcibly engaged and inserted into the predisposed apertures in
each of the U-shaped members. The height of the U-shaped members is
equal to or less than one half of the length of the member to
insure a substantially low center of gravity whether the cart is
empty or full.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing it is the primary object of the present
invention to provide a novel fireplace implement for hauling,
receiving, omnidirectional mobilizing and storing precut wood for
use within a home or the like which is easily assembled and
disassembled.
Another paramount object of the novel invention is to provide a
unique cart having a substantially low center of gravity and which
is substantially tip over resistant and consists of only three part
exclusive of the wheels.
A further significant object of the invention is peg interference
engagement mechanism in combination with a concave debris catching
member to provide assembly and rigidity to the cart and at the same
time provide ease of disassembly.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel fire wood
cart which has ball endings on the upright members sized to
accommodate the human hand such that the cart may be easily
manipulated and mobilized without the necessity of gripping a
handle.
It is yet a further important object of the invention to provide a
novel fire wood cart which can be easily mobilized by a handicapped
person without the necessity of fingers and hands and which may be
assembled or disassembled without dexterity especially the use of
screws, bolts and nuts.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will
be apparent in the detailed description provided below with
reference to the accompanying drawings, to wit:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a presently preferred
fire
FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a presently preferred
fire wood cart according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a left side view of the fire wood cart shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the fire wood cart according to the
present invention in accordance with FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the fire wood cart shown in FIG. 1
according to the present invention;
FIG. 5a is a front view of the fire wood cart of FIG. 1 loaded with
fire wood;
FIG. 5b is an exaggerated perspective representation of a portion
of the bottom concaved member of the fire wood cart showing one of
the pegs used for assembly; and
FIG. 5c is a cross section of a portion of the fire wood cart
showing the details of an engagement between one of the cone shaped
assembly pegs and the apertures in a U-shaped member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Reference is specifically made now to the drawings wherein like
numerals are used to designate like parts throughout FIG. 1 through
5. There is shown in FIG. 1 a presently preferred embodiment of the
invention, namely a fire place implement fabricated in accordance
with the present invention. The implement is a cart 10. The cart 10
comprises a bottom 12, a first U-shaped member 14, a second
U-shaped member 16, a first caster wheel 18, a second caster wheel
20 which make up a first pair of caster wheels attached to the
U-shaped member 14. The cart 10 also comprises a caster wheel 22
and a caster wheel 24 which make up a second pair of caster wheels
attached to the U-shaped member 16. The bottom 12 is adapted with a
plurality of pegs 26, 27 and 28 located along the forward edge of
the bottom 12 and which engage the U-shaped member 14 with an
interference fit. A similar set of pegs 30, 32 and 34 are located
along the distal edge 36 of the bottom 12 and engage the U-shaped
member 16 in a manner which interconnects the U-shaped member 14
via the bottom 12 to the U-shaped member 16 and in addition holds
the U-shaped members 14 and 16 in an upright orientation.
For ease of handling and maneuvering, each of the U-shaped members
14 and 16 has attached to the top of the upright portion thereof a
means for mobilizing the cart without the use of fingers. In
addition, the U-shaped upright members 14 and 16 are so massively
adapted such that they may be mobilized by a handicapped person not
having hands or the use thereof. In particular, the upright
U-shaped member 14 has a vertical portion 40 on the right and a
vertical portion 42 on the left. The U-shaped member 16 has an
upright member 44 on the left and a right vertical member 46. Each
of the vertical members 40, 42, 44 and 46 has attached to the top
thereof a round ball shaped member such as for example ball shaped
portions 48, 50, 52 and 54, respectively.
The bottom 12 is a concaved shaped member of the cart 10. The
bottom 12 has a left inpanel 60 and a right inpanel 62 which are
shown contiguously connected to a bottom panel 64 of the bottom
member 12. The bottom panel 64 is substantially flat and is the
portion of the member 12 which has intergerally connected thereto
pegs 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, and 34. As shown in FIG. 1 the left and
right side panel 60 and 62 are curved and adapted to congruently
fit the curvature of the U-shaped members 14 and 16. As further
shown in FIG. 1 the height of the vertical post 40, 42, 44 and 46
is illustrated by the designation H. A separation between two
vertical posts of a U-shaped member is designated by the simbol L.
For example, the post 44 is shown separated a distance L from the
post 46, each post comprising a vertical member of the U-shaped
member 16.
An essential aspect of the invention is that the height of the
vertical members 40, 42, 44 and 46 be equal and of a length or
height H which is equal to or less than one half of the length
L.
Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown the left side of the cart 10
wherein the left curved panel 60 of the bottom 12 is illustrated
bracketed by the vertical portion 44 of the U-shaped member 16 and
the vertical portion 40 of the U-shaped member 14.
In FIG. 4 a bottom view of the cart in FIG. 1 illustrates the
protruding conically shaped pegs 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, and 34. The
bottom 12 has a frontal edge 56 as well as the distal edge 36.
Along the distal edge the conical pegs 30, 32 and 34 are equally
spaced such that they extend through the bottom portion 68 of the
U-shaped member 16 which lies in between the wheels 20 and 22
attached thereto. The conical pegs 26, 27, and 28 are also shown
equally spaced and protruding through the bottom portion 70 of the
U-shaped member 14 and located in between the wheels 18 and 20.
Also shown in FIG. 3 is the left panel 60 of the bottom 12 and the
right panel 62 of the bottom 12. The panels 60 and 62 were
interconnected by the flat bottom portion 64.
Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown the fireplace cart 10 loaded
with logs 80. The logs sit and are supported by the bottom 12 as
well as being retained by the side portions 60 and 62.
Referring now to FIG. 5a there is shown a front view of the cart 10
fully loaded with logs 80. Note that in FIG. 5 the conical spaced
pegs 26, 27 and 28 are shown extending from the bottom member 12
through the front U-shaped member 14. The U-shaped member 14 has
conically shaped apertures 81, 82 and 83 adapted to receive the
conical pegs 26, 27 and 28 respectively in a tight fit. Similarly,
the conical pegs 30, 32 and 34 as shown in FIG. 3 are adapted to be
received by apertures 84, 85 and 86 in the U-shaped member 16 in a
very tight interference fit as shown in FIG. 3. A more detailed
exaggerated illustration of the peg 26 for example is shown in FIG.
5b. There the peg 26 is shown in an exaggerated conical shape
attached to the bottom 12 and in integral part thereof and with a
side panel 60 partially shown.
Referring now to FIG. 5c the bottom portion 70 of the U-shaped
member 14 is shown in great detail with the peg 26 extending
through the aperture 81 in the U-shaped member 14. The U-shaped
member 14 is made of heavy gauge steel which is hollow. The peg 26
as well as the bottom member 12 is made of iron of heavy steel and
is solid. Typically the bottom member 12 weighs approximately 15 to
20 pounds and each of the U-shaped members 14 and 16 weighs
approximately 10 to 15 pounds. The length L of the cart is
approximately 3 to 4 feet and the height H is accordingly one half
of the length L.
The pegs such as for example the peg 26 is illustrated in FIG. 5 is
conical in shape and the aperture 81 adapted to receive the peg 26
is conical in shape to provide a wedge fit and wedging action
between the U-shaped member 14 and the conical peg 26 and similarly
for the other pegs and the corresponding receiving U-shaped member.
This arrangement facilitates a very stable structure and because
the wedge action encourages an interference fit when assembled with
a hammer whereby the bottom member 12 is hammered onto the U-shaped
members 14 and 16 the bottom 12 fits very tightly onto the U-shaped
members 14 and 16 maintaining these U-shaped members in an upright
position and maintaining the structural integrity of the cart
without the necessity of screws, bolts, clamps and the like.
Moreover, the cart may be easily disassembled for storage with a
hammer simply by dislodging the steel or iron concaved bottom
member 12 from the U-shaped upright members 14 and 16. This can
also be facilitated by means of a large screwdriver or crowbar.
When disassembled the U-shaped members 14, 16 and 12 may all be
oriented vertically or hung on a garage wall for storage.
The wheels 18, 20, 22 and 24 are standard heavy duty ball shaped
caster wheels mounted to the bottoms 68 and 70 of the U-shaped
member 16 and 14 respectively in a conventional manner.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or the essential characteristics which
may be deemed equivalents thereof. The present embodiment is
therefore considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the
independent claims rather than by the foregoing description and all
changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of
the claims under the doctrine of equivalents are therefore intended
to be embraced therein.
* * * * *